ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard certification: responsible seaweed production
Demonstrate environmentally sustainable and socially responsible seaweed farming and wild harvesting through independent certification.
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ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard certification: responsible seaweed production
The joint Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Seaweed Standard provides a global framework for responsible seaweed production.
ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard applies to both farmed and wild-harvested seaweed operations across different locations and scales of production.
Certification provides independent third-party verification against applicable requirements covering sustainable wild populations, environmental impacts, effective management, social responsibility and community relations.
What is the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard?
The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard is a global certification standard for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible seaweed production. It applies to both seaweed farming and harvesting of wild seaweed populations.
The standard is built around five core principles covering sustainable wild populations, environmental impacts, effective management, social responsibility, and community relations and interactions.
The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard helps you achieve:
- Sustainable management of wild seaweed populations, where applicable.
- Management of environmental impacts on habitats, ecosystems and associated species.
- Effective management that respects applicable laws and supports environmentally and socially responsible production.
- Responsible working practices and respect for workers.
- Responsible engagement with local communities and neighbouring stakeholders.
Value of ASC-MSC Seaweed certification
Independent certification against the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard demonstrates that a seaweed farming or wild-harvesting operation has been assessed against applicable environmental and social requirements.
ASC-MSC Seaweed certification helps you:
- Demonstrate independently verified responsible seaweed production.
- Build confidence among customers and other stakeholders.
- Support access to markets seeking certified and responsibly produced seaweed.
- Strengthen transparency around environmental and social practices.
- Support the use of the applicable ASC and/or MSC label on eligible products, subject to applicable Chain of Custody and licensing requirements.
Why partner with DNV?
DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies. Through management system certification, supply chain assurance and training services, we help companies manage risks, assure compliance and build competence in organizations, supply chains and people.
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How to get certified to ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard
To obtain ASC-MSC Seaweed certification, your seaweed farming or wild-harvesting operation must meet the applicable requirements of the standard and undergo an independent third-party assessment by an accredited conformity assessment body. DNV provides independent third-party certification services against the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard.
As a DNV customer, you also get access to a suite of digital tools that can help you ensure compliance, continually improve and manage your entire certification journey with us.
Learn how to get ASC-MSC Seaweed certified
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- Review the applicable standard: Familiarise yourself with the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard, its performance indicators and the certification requirements relevant to your operation.
- Confirm your certification scope: Provide the information needed for the conformity assessment body to confirm the relevant production category and define the Unit of Assessment (UoA) and Unit of Certification (UoC).
- Review the applicable standard: Familiarise yourself with the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard, its performance indicators and the certification requirements relevant to your operation.
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- Assign responsibilities: Designate appropriate personnel to coordinate the certification process and act as a point of contact for the assessment team.
- Prepare the required information: Ensure that relevant data, records and procedures are available for the audit. This may include stock data, information on social regulations, internal records and procedures, employee and stakeholder interviews, and supporting scientific information.
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- Review your operation against the standard: Assess your operation against the applicable performance indicators and use the ASC-MSC Seaweed Client Application Checklist to prepare for assessment.
- Consider an optional pre-audit: A pre-audit can help identify strengths, weaknesses and potential barriers to certification before the initial audit. It is not a mandatory part of the certification process.
- Review your operation against the standard: Assess your operation against the applicable performance indicators and use the ASC-MSC Seaweed Client Application Checklist to prepare for assessment.
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- Choose an accredited conformity assessment body: Select an independent conformity assessment body (CAB) accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) to conduct assessments against the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard.
- Complete the initial audit: The CAB assesses your operation against the applicable performance indicators. The assessment includes review of evidence, site visits and stakeholder consultation, as applicable, before a certification determination is made.
- Choose an accredited conformity assessment body: Select an independent conformity assessment body (CAB) accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) to conduct assessments against the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard.
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- Obtain your ASC-MSC Seaweed certificate: Certification is granted when the operation demonstrates conformity with the applicable requirements of the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard.
- Maintain certification: Continue to meet the applicable requirements and participate in required surveillance and certification activities to maintain certified status.
- Consider Chain of Custody and labelling requirements: If certified seaweed is sold through the supply chain with a certification claim or applicable ASC and/or MSC label, relevant Chain of Custody and licensing requirements must also be met.
ASC-MSC Seaweed certification - FAQ
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The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard is a global certification standard for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible seaweed production. It applies to both farmed and wild-harvested seaweed operations and sets requirements covering environmental, management, social and community-related impacts.
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The standard applies to seaweed farming and wild-harvesting operations worldwide, across different production systems, locations and scales. The applicable requirements depend on the characteristics and production category of the operation. -
The standard is based on five core principles: sustainable wild populations, environmental impacts, effective management, social responsibility, and community relations and interactions.
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ASC-MSC Seaweed certification provides independent verification that an operation meets applicable environmental and social requirements. It can support transparency, stakeholder confidence, access to markets seeking certified seaweed and communication of responsible production practices.
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The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard is a separate joint ASC and MSC standard specifically designed for seaweed. Seaweed is therefore covered by the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard rather than the ASC Farm Standard.
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